Controlled release microparticles : impact of swelling on the drug release kinetics

The drug release studies from polymeric system such as Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based microparticles have been widely investigated during recent decades. The main objective of this work is to better understand the mass transport mechanisms controlling the drug release kinetics from PLGA microparticles. New insight was to be gained based on the experimental monitoring of the swelling kinetics of single microparticle. Initially, PLGA microparticles containing different type of drugs (acidic, basic and neutral), such as ketoprofen, prilocaine free base and dexamethasone were prepared using simple oil in water emulsion extraction/evaporation solvent technique. The characterization of the key properties of microparticles was performed using different techniques (optical microscopy, electron microscopy). The gel permeation chromatography was used to determine the molecular weight of PLGA following exposure of microparticles to the release medium at various times to assess the kinetic degradation of the polymer. The X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the physical state of the polymer, drug and drug-loaded microparticles. Release studies have shown two types of release profiles: tri-phasic and more or less mono-phasic profile. The tri-phasic profile is composed of three phases: an initial rapid release phase followed by a constant release which is followed by a second phase of rapid release. In contrast, at the investigated higher initial drug loadings, different release phases could hardly be distinguished: The profiles were more or less mono-phasic. The elucidation of drug release mechanisms was based on the experimental results of the swelling kinetics of single microparticles. As for drug release, distinct phases can be distinguished for microparticles swelling. The transition from one phase to another seem to coincide for microparticle swelling and drug release. Thus also microparticle swelling might contribute to a significant extent to the control of drug release.